Located in the heart of the Waikato, Hamilton Airport is part of a thriving region known for its innovation, industry and deep Māori heritage. As the city grows, the airport is evolving too, expanding its terminal and developing a large-scale industrial precinct to meet the region’s future needs.

An extensive, consultative process brought together over 25 stakeholders. These included iwi, local government, tourism, property and airport leadership, all working to shape a shared direction. A co-engagement model ensured tikanga and place-based knowledge were embedded throughout, guided by Māori consultants with deep roots in the land, sustainability and local histories.

The pekapeka, a native long-tailed bat found in Kirikiriroa, had already influenced aspects of the terminal’s architectural refurbishment. Traditionally seen as a guardian of travellers and a symbol of transition between worlds, the pekapeka quickly emerged as a powerful metaphor for the airport. It became a contemporary visual symbol — a modern abstraction of a carved pekapeka, arms outstretched in welcome. It represents a waharoa/gateway, a threshold between land and sky, a runway grounded in place yet open to the world.

The strategic platform ‘Where your stories start’ positioned the airport as more than a point of departure or arrival. It became a place where regions meet, relationships begin and journeys take shape. Supported by three strong values that informed all work. As new narratives emerged during design, we circled back to strategy, enriching the direction and ensuring that brand and story evolved together. Each informed and strengthened the other.

These design foundations helped inform a series of commissioned artworks by Māori artists, now installed throughout the terminal, including their own carved pekapeka pounamu. Together, architecture, landscape and identity form a unified experience — a modern gateway shaped by shared vision, cultural depth and a strong sense of place.

“The design of this branding project for Hamilton Airport is empowered by incredible collaborative skills and a deep sense of place. It shows a clear sense of authenticity with its deep respect for the area’s history, understanding that to plan for the future, one must appreciate and uplift the past.”
— Good Design Awards Jury